dismay

Where does the word "dismay" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin exmagare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Dismay’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: exmagare meant “to deprive of strength.” A Vulgar Latin coinage from a Germanic root related to 'may' and 'might'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as desmaier. Literally 'to un-might', to lose one's power. It reached English by 1300s as dismay. Kept the idea of sudden loss of courage. Today, dismay means distress caused by something unexpected.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient exmagare "to deprive of strength", a Vulgar Latin coinage from a Germanic root related to 'may' and 'might'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval desmaier "to be dismayed", literally 'to un-might', to lose one's power.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s dismay "to discourage", kept the idea of sudden loss of courage.